Tag Archives: Corporate

April 25, 2008 – Former Disney CEO is Honored on Hollywood Walk of Fame

“So, I accept this for Frank [Wells], for Bob [Iger], and John [Travolta], and for all the cast members of the Walt Disney Company, and I thank you all for coming out on not too hot a day.”

On April 25, 2008, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner was honored with the 2,361st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his part in Disney’s comeback in the era known as the Disney Renaissance. Eisner, whose tenure at Disney lasted from 1984 to 2005, was joined at his ceremony by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler, current CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger, actor John Travolta, and Mickey Mouse.

April 11, 2008 –Disney Announces Philippe Gas as President of Euro Disney S.A.S

“Together with the strong international management team, Philippe is committed to the Company’s long-term strategy and to its continued growth as Europe’s number 1 tourist destination.” – Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts James A. Rasulo

On April 11, 2008, an announcement was released that Philippe Gas was named to the top position of President of Euro Disney S.A.S, the management company and operator of Disneyland Paris. Gas was named to succeed Karl Holz, who was moving on to a new position as President of New Vacation Operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Gas joined Disney in 1991 after completing his law degree from the University of Paris Assas, working as a finance controller and as part of the opening team of Disneyland Paris, then known as Euro Disney. After a promotion in 1997 to the Director of Corporate Compensation, Gas moved to the Walt Disney Company Headquarters in Burbank, California. He had another promotion in 2000 to the Regional Vice President of Human Resources for The Walt Disney Company Asia-Pacific, overseeing HR practices in 13 countries, including Japan and Hong Kong. He returned to Disneyland Paris in 2004 as Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and continued to climb the organization until he was named the Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide in 2006. Gas was scheduled to fully assume his new appointment as president on September 1, 2008.

“Disney’s name as used herein, includes all forms and variations of his name…”

On April 3, 1953, Walt Disney signed a legal license that would grant him all commercial uses of his name to Walt Disney, Incorporated; this was the first step in ensuring that Disney would be able to control his films, televisions shows, and eventually the parks. This was a historic event in entertainment history, as this contract paved the way for Disney to become the global empire it is today. This agreement also helped pave the way for Disney to create his own distribution company, Buena Vista Distribution, as RKO was crumbling quickly after being acquired by Howard Hughes.

“2010 was a great year for The Walt Disney Company. It was a year of excellence – creatively, strategically, and financially.”

On March 23, 2011, Disney announced that shareholders had elected 13 members of the Board of Directors, re-electing members such as Steve Jobs, Bob Iger, and Sheryl Sandberg. The shareholders also supported recommendations from the Company’s auditor, as well as the stock incentive plan and the frequency of votes on executive compensation. Shareholders also agreed to the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the independent accountants for Fiscal Year 2011.

“We’re thrilled that Disney has committed to stay here long-term and are looking forward to the two new ships home porting here.”- Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne

On March 19, 2008, Disney Cruise Line officially announced that they reached an agreement with Port Canaveral in Florida, which extended their home port contract for fifteen more years. This agreement was officially ratified by the Port Authority Commissioners. The agreement included an expansion and modification of the existing port facility, including a parking structure scheduled to be completed in 2011. Disney stated in the press release that they were going to work with Port Canaveral staff to add the special Disney touch to the planned “state of the art facility.”

February 5, 2015- Tom Staggs is Named Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company

“It’s a privilege to step into this role, and I am humbled and honored by the opportunity.”

On February 5, 2015, the Walt Disney and Parks and Resorts chairman Tom Staggs was announced to be the new Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company. Staggs was chosen thanks to his track record in running the parks, his background in investment banking, and his ability to handle complex deals for the company, including the investment in the MagicBand system used in Walt Disney World. Staggs joined Disney in 1990 as the manager of strategic planning after working at Dain Bosworth and Morgan Stanley. He soon moved up the corporate ladder, being named a senior VP in 1995, and was shortly after named an executive VP and Chief Financial Officer. Although concerns arose around Staggs’ ability to handle the strategic management of a company as vast as Disney, his success with the Disneyland Shanghai project seemed to quell any doubts. However, Staggs stepped down from his position and left the company in 2016, after he was unable to secure a commitment that he would succeed Bob Iger after Iger’s retirement in 2018.

January 24, 2000 – Robert Iger is Named President of The Walt Disney Company

“Bob Iger is recognized as a leader in the communications and entertainment industries. I believe his experience and expertise will prove instrumental in helping to guide our company to seize new opportunities.” – Disney CEO Michael Eisner

On January 24, 2000, Robert Iger was named as the President of the Walt Disney Company, filling the spot left open after Michael Ovitz left in 1996. Iger had started his career with ABC in 1974 and rose through the ranks to become the President and COO in 1994. After ABC’s merger with Disney, Iger remained the head of ABC before switching in 1999 to the President of Disney’s International Operations. Along with his promotion to the number 2 executive position within the company, Iger was also appointed to the board of directors.